Help! Page 2

AF Works, But No Shutter
Q. I replaced the lithium battery in my Minolta 7000. The autofocus seems to work but it will not take a photo. Do I need to reprogram it? If so, how do I do this?
Jeanette
via Internet

A. Whenever I had to replace a weak lithium battery in my Minoltas the camera would become operational again with no need for any programming or adjustments. Since the autofocusing works, but nothing else, there may be something else wrong. Have you tried contacting Konica Minolta to ask their experts? You can obtain Minolta information at their Photofax hotline
(800-528-4767) or talk to somebody at their film camera customer service at (866) 515-0330. Data might be available online at their website: www.ph.konicaminolta.us. I hope you can get your camera operational by speaking with people at one, or more, of these places.

3D Film Processing
Q. I have a 3D camera that uses 35mm film. The place that used to process the film has gone out of business. Do you know of anyplace I can get my film processed?
Lonnie Moore
via Internet

A. All the 3D processing firms I had listed in my reference files seem to no longer be in business. Reader Jon Wilkin recently e-mailed me saying he got this Internet hit for 3D processing: http://clik3d.com/pricelist.htm. I looked at their website and found they print from all types of 3D cameras (two lens, three lens, and four lens). They produce 4x5" prints (16 prints) from both two- and three-lens cameras for $48 and 12 prints from four-lens cameras for $36 (this price is from 24-exposure 35mm films). The turnaround time is said to be 2-3 weeks but I don't know what the return shipping charges run, nor the quality of the finished work. You can write them at: CLIK 3D, Unit 18, 3909 Witmer Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305; (888) 262-8682. They also have an Ontario, Canada, address. In looking over the website I noticed they also have some film orders that were originally sent to Image Tech in both their Georgia and California facilities and can trace these orders if you never got your order returned from this former 3D processor. Sure hope this firm can do the processing you seek. Let me know if you use them and how you like the results. Who knows, I might have to try using one of my several older 3D cameras again after years of nonuse.

Model Out Of Production
Q. I'm writing for information about the Nikon N90s SLR camera. We have just been informed this model Nikon is no longer in production. Will it be worthwhile for us, a small photography operation, to seek out this model, or would it be better to move up to the F100 or F5 model? We like its style for field work. We have been working with photographers in the field with the Nikon N90s and they highly recommend the camera. Many times it is hard to get service when cameras are not in stock production. We understand that technology changes all the time from day to day, month to month, and year to year. Hopefully you may be able to pass on some recommendations.
Claudia Phillips
Office Manager
Yardbird Productions
Norfolk, VA

A. As you mention, technology does change on cameras. Change seems to occur even more often these days with the ever-increasing emphasis on digital cameras rapidly replacing film models of all types from all manufacturers. However, major camera brands such as Nikon have an excellent reputation for durability and longevity and tend to still be easily repaired even when out of production for many years. I firmly believe in the credo, "If it ain't broke, why fix it?" If the Nikon N90s camera is what your business demands I would not replace them with more costly newer models that are compatible with the interchangeable lenses you already own and use. But if the newer models would offer your staff with advanced features and capabilities lacking on the N90s, you might want to consider adding them to your equipment pool. I personally don't believe you should replace the cameras your photographers use just because they might not be easily repaired if--and when--they breakdown. Cross that bridge when you come to it and keep working with those perfectly good Nikon N90s cameras.

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